Page 93 of The Purest Fake

Scarlett snickers as she notices the obvious bulge in my pants. Good thing James is busy focusing on safely maneuvering the carriage. My body settles down as he spouts off more historical information, including pointing out the reconstructed Governor’s Palace and its Palladian architecture. “The gardens were the most imitated and admired in the colonies,” he shares.

“James, would you be willing to park and take a picture of us?” Scarlett asks.

“Sure, I can do that.” He pulls on the reins and calls out to the horse, and we come to a stop. James turns around and Scarlett hands him her phone. I wrap my arm around her shoulder and she leans into me as we smile.

“Do you mind taking one of us with the Governor’s Palace in the background?” she asks him.

“Not at all.” He climbs down from his seat, and I help Scarlett from the carriage. We walk over to stand directly in front of the building. Pulling Scarlett in front of me, I wrap my arms aroundher waist and rest my chin on her shoulder. James smiles, acting as our photographer.

“Thank you so much, James. I’m horrible about taking pictures, so you’re a lifesaver.”

He smiles at her. “It’s my pleasure.”

“Yeah, thank you. We appreciate it,” I say, and his gaze lands on me. Up until now, he’s been so busy looking at Scarlett, I think he barely noticed me. But I’m getting familiar with the expression on his face—recognition.

He cants his head, studying me some more. “Are you Cooper Grind?”

I nod. “I am.”

“Oh man. No one’s going to believe you were in my carriage today,” he says.

“Then why don’t I take a picture of the two of you,” Scarlett suggests.

James gazes at her like a man in love. “Would that be okay?” he asks me.

“Yeah. Let’s do this.”

I join him, standing in front of the carriage. Draping my good arm loosely over his shoulders, I give a thumbs up with my other hand.

Scarlett raises her phone. “Say cheese.”

James and I both utter the word, and she smiles. “All set. Why don’t I airdrop these to you, James.”

“Perfect.” He tugs his phone from his pocket, and she sends him the pics. “Thank you. You made my day.”

“Well, you made ours.” She hooks her hand through my arm. “This ride has been like a dream come true.”

The three of us return to our seats, and James clicks his tongue twice and the horse starts walking once more.

“It’s crazy to think of Virginia not even being a state yet when this was built,” Scarlett says as we pull away from the Governor’s Palace.

“I know. And there were decades to come before they would be fighting for their independence.”

James finishes the tour and drops us off back where we started. We stroll around, checking out some of the local shops. Scarlett purchases some candles and a handmade scarf for Autumn. We sample some homemade fudge and drink some ale from a brewery.

By the time we climb back into my car, it’s late afternoon. “Should we eat something before we head back?” she asks.

“I have an idea for where we can go,” I say.

“Are you going to clue me in?”

I shake my head. “Nope. It’s a surprise.”

She crosses her outstretched legs. “Okay. I like surprises.”

After a few minutes, I park in the driveway of a historic bed and breakfast. “Do they have a restaurant?” Scarlett asks when I open her door.

“Yeah, I did a little research last night and found this place.”

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